THOUSANDS of people will stop and remember fallen heroes on Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday services across the county are a chance for people to pay their respects to the men and women killed during war.

Church bells will ring out and veterans will come together to remember lost friends.

The Worcester Cathedral Remembrance service will start at 10am and last until 10.40am. It will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial and a two-minute silence at 11am.

Encouraging people to attend the cathedral, Canon Dr Georgina Byrne said: “The Service of Remembrance offers an opportunity for the people of Worcester to pause and pray for peace in the world.

“We will remember those who have given their lives in service to their country, in two world wars and in more recent conflicts. In music, words and silence we will pray for those caught up in the tragedy of war through bereavement or injury.

“The cathedral bells will be rung half-muffled in remembrance of the dead.”

On Armistice Day itself – Wednesday, November 11 – traffic in the city will be halted for the 11am two-minute silence and wreaths will be laid at the cathedral memorial by members of the Royal British Legion and the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Andy Roberts.

In Droitwich, the town’s Royal British Legion branch will lead Sunday’s Service of Remembrance in Victoria Square. Alan Evans, chairman of Droitwich RBL club, said: “It is the time of year when we remember the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, from the veterans of the First World War and the Second World War and all of the conflicts that we have been involved in since – Korea, Suez, Northern Ireland, the Falklands – right up to the wars in Iraq and ongoing war in Afghanistan.

“All of these have left servicemen and women injured and in need of help, along with widows and orphans who need support.”

Funeral directors Philip Tomlins, of Bromyard Terr-ace, St John’s, Worcester, hope their Remembrance Day window display will not only honour fallen heroes, but remind younger generations of the importance of remembrance.

The display includes photographs of both world wars as well as an explanation of The Last Post bugle call.

Gabby Sanchez, community liaison manager at Philip Tomlins, said: “There are many children that pass our window on their way to and from school. We thought it would be good to bring to their attention the importance of the occasion."

For more details about services, contact your local Royal British Legion office.

Remembrance Day: The parades taking place on Sunday

Worcester City – Veterans will march past the Guildhall for a service at Worcester Cathedral at 10am, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and two-minute silence at 11am.

St John’s, Worcester – The parade will start at 9.30am from Swanpool Walk to St John’s Church for a 10am service, followed by wreath-laying at 11am.

Malvern – Sea cadets will parade from the war memorial in Graham Road to Malvern Priory at 2pm. The service will take place at Malvern Priory at 3pm Droitwich – The parade will go from Salvation Army Citadel to Victoria Square, where the RBL will lead a brief service and lay wreaths from 10.50am. There will then be a service at St Andrew’s Church.

Evesham – Veterans will meet in Market Square at 10.40am, then go on to a service at All Saints Church at 11am.

Ledbury – The parade will start at St Katherine’s car park at 10.30am with wreath-laying at the war memorial from 10.45am and a two-minute silence at 11am. The Remembrance service will be at St Michael’s and All Angels Church.

Upton-upon-Severn – People will gather in New Street at 10.15am and march to Upton Parish Church for a service at 10.30am, followed by a service at the Pepperpot for wreath laying.

Pershore – Veterans and residents will march from the town’s main car park to Pershore Abbey for a service at 10.55am. The salute will be taken in Broad Street.

Stourport-on-Severn – The parade will go from the RBL headquarters in Severn Street to St Wulstan’s Catholic Church, via the town’s war memorial.

Kidderminster – The parade will begin in New Road at 10.15am and end with a service at St Mary’s Church.

Bromyard – Parade at 2.45pm at Tenbury Road car park for 3pm service at St Peter’s.

Hereford – Military officials and a pipe band will meet at the top of St Owen Street at 10.40am, before parading to the cenotaph in St Peter’s Square for 11am.